Headlines

Preview: Lightning at Maple Leafs

Center Steven Stamkos has 'clear mind' in first visit to Toronto since signing eight-year contract to stay in Tampa Bay

by
David Alter
/ NHL.com Correspondent

LIGHTNING (4-1-0) at MAPLE LEAFS (1-1-3)

7:30 pm. ET; SN1, TVAS, SUN, NHL.TV

Lightning team scope

The Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time this season. It will be the the first game for forward Steven Stamkos against the Maple Leafs since he signed an eight-year, $68 million contract on June 29 to remain with the Lightning. "This year, it's just easier to come in here with a clear mind," Stamkos said, referring to reports Toronto was hoping to sign him if he had become an unrestricted free agent. Tampa Bay is coming off a 4-1 win against the Ottawa Senators. Forwards Vladislav Namestnikov and Valtteri Filppula each had a goal and an assist. Tampa Bay scored two power-play goals and is 12-for-13 this season on the penalty kill.

Maple Leafs team scope

The Toronto Maple Leafs have played one game at home this season and it stands as their lone victory, a 4-1 win against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 15. The Maple Leafs, who completed a three-game road trip (0-1-2), have led all five games they have played after two periods. Toronto claimed center Ben Smith on waivers on Monday, and he will play a on a line with wingers Matt Martin and Peter Holland. "I've learned not to question, not to hope and not to hope for anything," said Smith, who played four games without a point for the Colorado Avalanche this season. "I got a bounce [Monday], Toronto picked me up and I'm very excited."

Lightning projected lineup

Vladislav Namestnikov - Steven Stamkos - Nikita Kucherov

Ondrej Palat - Tyler Johnson - Jonathan Drouin

Alex Killorn - Valtteri Filppula - Brayden Point

Cedric Paquette - Brian Boyle - J.T, Brown

Victor Hedman - Anton Stralman

Jason Garrison - Andrej Sustr

Nikita Nesterov - Braydon Coburn

Ben Bishop

Andrei Vasilevskiy

Scratched: Matt Taormina

Injured: Ryan Callahan (hip)

Maple Leafs projected lineup

James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Mitch Marner

Leo Komarov - Nazem Kadri - Connor Brown

Zach Hyman - Auston Matthews - William Nylander

Matt Martin - Ben Smith - Peter Holland

Morgan Rielly - Nikita Zaitsev

Jake Gardiner - Roman Polak

Matt Hunwick - Connor Carrick

Frederik Andersen

Jhonas Enroth

Scratched: Seth Griffith, Frank Corrado

Injured: Josh Leivo (lower-body), Martin Marincin (lower-body)

Status report

Ben Bishop will start in goal for Tampa Bay after Andrei Vasilevskiy started on Sunday in Ottawa. Bishop has a 6-5-0 record in 14 career games against Toronto. Lightning right wing Ryan Callahan spent some time mixing in with the fourth line during morning skate. He is on target to return in November. Maple Leafs forward Milan Michalek cleared waivers on Tuesday, and was assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

Who's hot

Left wing Alex Killorn leads the Lightning with four goals and is tied with Filppula for the team lead in points with five. Killorn is on a three-game point streak (3-1-4) and has points in four of five games this season. Center Auston Matthews leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with five goals and three assists.